new and improving

[whatnow]

I've used beyond blue on and off in the past and found it helpful. after over a decade of self medicating my depression, anxiety and bi polar conditions I finally got sick of it all and am now 8 months into proper and ongoing treatment for my mental health whilst remaining clean. I still have a lot of challenges and hard days but believe thing like the forum are a great tool. I live in a small town where the stigma attached to mental health is still pretty harsh and have several friends who are very ashamed of their depression and anxiety issues so choose to be as open as I can about my own in the hope others will understand and accept what we all go through. I'm pretty new to forums and helping myself in the right ways so look forward to learning from and sharing with others on the site.

[Paul]

Hey whatnow,

Welcome back to Beyond Blue.

Your post sounds really encouraging and I think you should be really really proud that you've got some support in place and have help in getting well. So awesome that you've remained clean for the 8 months too!

There are definitely challenges and hard days and it sounds like you are well prepared to stay grounded through those difficulties.

It can really suck when the people in your town seem to be so closed minded about an illness that can't be seen with a limp or bandage. Perhaps when you are stronger and feeling well you might wave the flag and help to change a few minds.

It's so awesome that you're here and doing well.

stay in touch.

Paul

[geoff]

dear Whatnow, you know when you or someone else has been self medicating and then stops for a week or more, it is really an effort that should be congratulated, but you have gone even further and not done it and stayed clean for 8 months, so at the moment this seems to be a life time, but you should be so proud of yourself and well done, a great achievement.

Because of this you will be able to think more clearly and rationalise much better, but we know that we can't live without any problems, it's how we are able to figure out what is right and what is wrong, so that it doesn't drive us back into depression.

Your involvement on this forum will be of great benefit to all of us.

Well done. Geoff.

[Simona]

aha. i live in a small town too. blink and you miss it. i drive 10k's into what i call 'civilization' and even then everyone knows everyone.   you can't just go into town and not bump into someone or be seen.  

the beyond blue bus was up here early this year.  i cautiously gave it a wide birth.  people backstab too much here and some are very rude.  like i smile and say hello and they pretend not to have seen/heard.   i even smile and say a chipper hello to the ones who clearly dislike/try to avoid me.  i do this quite happily though because i know it irks them

yes the forum is great tool. seemingly i still have a lot to learn though.  and fickle internet coverage is not helping my mental status.    congratulations and welcome back   : )